Hardy Tropicals UK

I have a Trachycarpus bought as fortunei in 1994 from Martin Gibbons' 'Palm Centre' together with 9 others. 7 were sold on to people in the local area, and 3 were retained. Of the 3, two are what I would call standard fortunei, although one has a much thinner trunk than the other. The 3rd is Tf Pebbles

Pebbles is very different. Is much slower growing, although they were all the same size when bought (about 18" above pot) she is now a good 3 feet shorter than the others. Pebbles has a very shaggy looking trunk, and 360 degree leaves although growing in full sun. The seed branches are to the 2nd 3rd order so not as the Winsan described on EPS.

Question is ? does this fit into the Trachycarpus fortunei species variability. or have collectors over the last couple of hundred years given rise to Hybrids, 2nd, 3rd. crosses etc, and no-one knows what a standard fortunei is

Dave the trunk looks very much like that of a waggy and also of naini-tal.

John

Dave,
I have attached some photos of Winsan and seedlings for comparison.
It has the same hairy trunk like yours,apart from circular leaves.

Garry, That is a beauty.... I see what you mean about the leaves being different Mine are 360 but in a very coarse fortunei way. The leaves on the mother Winsan are quite even, almost Livistona like. It certainly will be a very desirable palm, if pure seed can be found

wasnt sure where to post this Dave but here is one of your offspring,only popped up in october soon after i had potted up about 6 others that had sprouted there.been in the ground over a year now.i took the pic this morning,tough little cookie aint he

The whole genus needs a careful botanical review, based on genetic analysis of native plants in the wild across the range of the genus, with cultivated plants then assigned to the species found in the wild populations.

Can't see it happening in a while! Maybe some Chinese botany postgrad student might take in on one day.

Conifers wrote:The whole genus needs a careful botanical review

I couldn't agree more!

Bump ! After 2 years 1

The palm has rocketed away coping well with flood year of 2012 and drought year of 2013. If anything it is growing even more shaggy and the wind blows it around. Before long I'm gonna have to start combing it

New pics .... sorry about the leaves, but 60 to 70mph gusts have taken their toll

That is the hairiest palm I've ever seen, it looks like a highland cow Very unique though.